“I’m fine,” Gwen continued. “I have tea and lozenges and a couple of movies. Give me today and I’m certain I’ll be one hundred percent by tomorrow.”
“Well, we’ll miss you at Shelly and Anthony’s, but I’ll let them know you’re not feeling well. There must be something going around, because Leo just texted me. He thinks he has a cold too. Said he was coughing all night after he left.”
Gwen’s chest tightened at the mention of Leo’s name. “Oh?” She pressed her lips together. “That’s too bad. I hope he feels better soon,” she crooned. No, not really, a huge part of her wanted him to die. Or at the very least, wanted him to feel like she felt today. Used, bruised, and a bit abused. “Give everyone giant kisses for me, and we’re still on for Thursday, right? Working on the baby shower and Shelly and Anthony’s wedding and now a bridal brunch. I thought Shelly said last night she wanted a bridal shower brunch?”
“Exactly right. And we can’t forget the bachelorette party, but it’ll have to be after this little baby gets out. Oh, we’re going to have an amazing year! So many parties! A baby, a wedding, and a new sister-in-law.”
“Oh my!” Gwen echoed Aubrey’s excitement, wishing she could feel the same enthusiasm her friend did. To her, right now, it looked like an endless list of events where she’d have to see Leo everywhere she went.
“Oh my, indeed. Okay. Feel better. I’ll see you soon.”
“Toodles.” Gwen pressed off on her phone.
A trickle of relief dissolved the heat of embarrassment that flooded her chest. Such bad judgment, but she seemed in the clear where Aubrey was concerned. She hadn’t commented on Gwen and Leo smooching in the hall, or mentioned them disappearing from the party at the same time. “I guess there’s one good thing, Mr. Mouse, no one knows about last night except for me and Leo.” The cat rubbed against her feet, as if to show he agreed. “Well and you.” Gwen picked up her remote and pressed the volume up on the Real Housewives of Orange County, still one of her favorite shows in the world. Then she lifted Mr. Chow’s menu to scrutinize her options. “What do you think, Mr. Mouse? Do we want one entree or two? I’m thinking two…that way we’ll have leftovers for tomorrow.”
*
Leo leaned back into the supple black leather of his couch. Showered and shaved, he now watched UCLA kick Michigan State’s ass. What was better on New Year’s Day than beer, college football, and Renley? He rubbed his hand across the pup’s head. Renley was a good dog. They hadn’t gotten their run this morning, but Renley didn’t seem to mind. Actually they hadn’t gotten much done, except bailing on the New Year’s Day dinner Anthony and Shelly were having at their house and ordering a pizza instead.
His phone rang and he flipped it over. Uh-oh, Aubrey, the new Travati matriarch. Checking up on him? Since his mother had passed, Leo had gotten used to the idea that he and his brothers didn’t have a woman to answer to. Mrs. Bello was awesome, but she didn’t make demands. Honestly, Aubrey was awesome too, but after Anthony’s apology for being such an ass, she had rapidly settled into the role of senior wife and Travati matriarch. In fact, she’d gotten pretty damn comfortable ordering the Travati brothers around.
He coughed into his hand and hunched forward before touching the on button. “Hello,” he whispered as though he were on the threshold of death’s door.
“My God, Leo, you sound awful!” Aubrey said. “I’m coming over there right this—”
“No!” he burst out, sitting straight up. He shook his head and recovered. “I mean no,” he wheezed. “You can’t come over. What if you got sick? Think about the baby.” He balled his hand into a fist and pressed it against his mouth to stifle a laugh. No way would Aubrey ever come over now that he’d mentioned his cold might affect the baby. Nothing could negatively impact the impending arrival of the Travati prince or princess.
“Then I’ll send Justin. He can bring some soup from—”
“No, no, no.” Leo threw in a hacking cough for effect. “He’ll be near my germs, and then he’ll get it and be exiled to the guest room for the next two weeks. I’m fine. I’ve got soup, a blanket, and my remote control. Good night’s sleep and I’ll be better by morning.”
“I hope no one else gets sick. Gwen can’t come today either, sounds like she’s come down with the same cold.”
“What?” He coughed again to cover his abrupt outburst. “I mean, she has?”